John&Jacq~s Garden

Posted by Jacqueline on October 14th, 2011

Cheilocostus speciosus; syn: Costus speciosus (Spiral Ginger, Crepe Ginger, White costus, Cane Reed) Free-flowering Cheilocostus speciosus (its current accepted name) is one of the most attractive and well-known cultivated species of the genus Cheilocostus. A lovely clustering plant with tall reed-like stems that are topped with large snowy-white and crepe-textured flowers on terminal cones. These [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on September 22nd, 2011

Pritchardia pacifica (Fiji Fan Palm, Pacific Fan Palm) Big, bold and beautiful, Pritchardia pacifica will surely make an imposing and striking specimen in any garden or landscape. A handsome solitary palm tree that features enormous fronds in almost perfect fan formation in shades of bright green to lime green. It is well sought after by [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on September 18th, 2011

Brugmansia suaveolens (Angel’s Trumpet, Angel-star, Angel’s Tears) The exotic Brugmansia suaveolens is a small tree or large evergreen shrub that is cultivated exclusively for its dramatic floral display. A prolific bloomer that may grandly display as many as 100-200 stunningly beautiful flowers at one time under good growing conditions. Simply spectacular… as if presenting rows [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on September 4th, 2011

Hmm… we thought that we’ll run out of garden news eventually since our garden plants were greatly reduced due to health problems (i.e. John’s suffering from lumbar spondylosis that impairs his gardening activities). But it appears there are still leftovers that aren’t willing to be categorized as run-of-the-mill as yet. Some plants just want to [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on August 30th, 2011

Hemigraphis alternata (Red Flame Ivy, Red Ivy, Cemetary Plant, Metal-leaf) An attractive and colourful low-creeping herb that’s sure to draw one’s attention, especially mine! I do admit to being a sucker for just about any plant with variegated leaves! We were somewhat mesmerized when we first sighted those lovely ground-cover plants, less than two years [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on August 3rd, 2011

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ (Mophead/Bigleaf/French Hydrangea, Hortensia) – our garden star in July 2011 Feeling blue? Let the beauty of nature and the Mophead Hydrangea with its gorgeously large blooms mop away the sadness and unhappiness! The colour blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body, and strongly associated with peace, calmness and tranquility. [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on July 22nd, 2011

Yucca aloifolia (Spanish Bayonet, Aloe Yucca, Dagger Plant) How marvelous! We recently sighted a flowering Yucca aloifolia for the first time, on June 30th. Not from our own top-heavy potted plant which has been residing at our front yard since year 2005. Humph… I wonder whether it’s about time to bid it sayonara? Spotted this [...]

Posted by Jacqueline on July 17th, 2011

Licuala grandis (Vanuatu Fan Palm, Ruffled Fan Palm, Palas Payung) If you’re looking for a slender and exotic tropical fan palm to grace your garden or landscape, Licuala grandis will be well worth considering! An excellent small-sized palm tree that is perfect, both for container planting or grown on the ground, and ideal too for [...]